Quietnesses

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The state or quality of being silent or free from noise
2. A condition characterized by tranquility and calmness
3. The presence of peace often marked by the absence of sound

Etymology: "Quietnesses" is the plural of "quietness," which is the noun form of the adjective "quiet." "Quiet" came into English from Old French "quiet," itself from Latin "quietus," meaning at rest, calm, or tranquil, and that Latin word is the past participle of "quiescere," to rest. The noun "quietness" was formed by adding the English suffix "-ness" to the adjective, a common pattern for turning qualities into nouns. The plural "quietnesses" is rarely used because "quietness" is usually uncountable. It appears when writers want to refer to several separate instances or kinds of stillness, such as the different silences of a house at night, a forest at dawn, or a room after an argument.